The newly reunited group moved through the city, heading east toward the massive wall.
Upon reaching it, they passed through the enormous gate that allowed passage. Guards were stationed to control entry, but Baryon walked through without a hint of trouble.
On the other side, there was no forest—only another part of the city, less crowded but clearly wealthier. Large, elegant houses lined the streets, well-dressed citizens strolled along, and dominating the district stood the city's crown jewel: a magnificent, towering castle. Everything here spoke of nobility and wealth.
Baryon's brisk pace prevented Adlet and Florian from fully taking in the impressive scenery.
"It's a good thing we're moving quickly," Daven remarked. "Maybe your scent won't have time to spread into my district."
Finally, the group arrived at a square beside another massive gate in the wall. Unlike the bustling city streets, this area was filled with guards and Protectors, judging by their uniforms, talking loudly.
Adlet inferred that the dangerous zone must lie beyond this wall.
"…Did you hear that? The lord's youngest son is about to begin his training as an apprentice Protector," one guard nearby murmured.
"Yes, the Dryad family will likely be gifted with a new monster…" replied his companion.
"We'll see if he can even assimilate a Griffin," the first guard added, before moving out of earshot.
"A Griffin? One of the two Rank 5 species in the region…" Adlet thought, struggling to imagine the sheer power such a creature must wield.
"Did you assimilate a Griffin too?" Florian asked Daven instinctively.
"Shut up, peasant! I'm not part of the main family, but that doesn't make much difference compared to you," Daven snapped, clearly irritated at any comparison to the main lineage.
"Silence!" Baryon barked, his tone sharp, as he approached a guard to request the opening of the gate.
The guard complied, turning a large wheel to slowly lift the heavy door.
"We are about to enter the dangerous zone. Our mission is to conduct daily patrols along the wall, spotting Apex and eliminating or reporting them so the city can dispatch appropriate measures.
Since you are new Protectors, you will therefore have the chance to face creatures at your level, allowing you to absorb their life energy and gain combat experience.
I've been informed that you've only assimilated a low-level Rank 1 beetle. You will have priority if we encounter an insect of higher rank that can help you evolve," Baryon said, pointing at Adlet as Daven snickered.
"Questions?" he added.
"Do we have to fight as a group?" Florian asked.
"Protectors fight alone, except in extreme circumstances, for two reasons. First, it's better to flee from an opponent you cannot handle alone; survival in dangerous zones comes first.
Second, a monster's life energy can only be transmitted to a single Protector, and only if the beast recognizes that Protector as its conqueror or its will is subdued," Baryon explained.
"I should have guessed," Florian muttered.
"Very well. Follow my orders to the letter," the group leader said as the gate finally opened.
They stepped into Dryad Forest, a world apart from the woods Adlet had traversed for years or even the Dark Woods.
The trees were enormous and widely spaced, making Adlet feel as if he had shrunk. The heat and humidity added to the forest's oppressive atmosphere.
For hours, the group moved silently in tight formation. They hadn't encountered any dangerous creatures yet, but Adlet was gradually getting used to this new environment.
Suddenly, Baryon raised his clenched fist, signaling a stop. He pointed ahead where a long serpent, over five meters in length, slithered through the undergrowth.
It was a Dryad Serpent, a Rank 1 species known primarily for its constricting power—nothing overly dangerous.
"Who wants to handle this one?" Baryon whispered.
"Obvious choice," Daven replied, moving forward without hesitation.
Using the blind spots between trees, he crept toward the serpent's tail. When he judged himself close enough, he leapt, grabbing just behind its head to avoid bites.
The serpent coiled around him, attempting to crush him, but Daven used his Aura, literally crushing the creature in his hands. It died instantly.
"A vile human… yet undeniably talented," Adlet thought as the serpent's life energy flowed into Daven.
The group continued, encountering no other creatures that day.
Baryon ordered them to set up camp for the night — an obvious routine for a group assigned to patrol the region over several weeks. They cooked and ate the serpent's meat before settling in, each taking turns to keep watch under the dim light of the Stars.
Days turned into weeks, and their routine remained unchanged — patrol, hunt, rest, repeat.
Over the course of the month, the group had eliminated dozens of Apex across the region.
Rank 1 creatures were dispatched by one of the three children, while Rank 2 were easily handled by Baryon.
Adlet was impressed by their harsh leader's strength — estimating him to be at least Rank 3 Aura — and felt relatively safe beside him.
As they encountered more Apex, Adlet began to accurately sense their Aura levels, growing confident enough to handle lower Rank 2 creatures like his companions.
Baryon eventually allowed them to break formation, trusting they could handle themselves while staying within range of each other.
A month had passed. Around midday, as Adlet and Florian took a brief pause to rest and eat, a sudden and powerful Aura approached.
They instinctively hid, only to realize it belonged to a human.
"Maybe it's Baryon. Let's go!" Adlet whispered.
The boys sprinted, trying to catch up to the source of the power.
When they did, they were shocked: it was not Baryon, but two men in their thirties, one carrying a large canvas sack, clearly heavy.
"What are you doing here? Run!" one shouted, noticing the boys.
Then another Aura struck them—so immense that neither boy could gauge its rank. It was unlike anything they had experienced.
Yet more frightening than its power was the absolute hostility it radiated. The message was clear: a terrifying being approached, and death awaited anyone in its path.
A chilling shiver ran through Adlet and Florian as they sensed the overwhelming force approaching, a danger so immense that their hearts beat in unison, frozen by the pure hostility radiating from that presence.